GRAHAM HAY insists Lochee United should be challenging for the title after helping them clinch Super League survival with a vital win over 10-man Bo’ness.

Former Dundee defender Hay missed a first-half penalty but made amends by firing the visitors into the lead after Phil McGuire had cancelled out John Stewart’s opener.

Grant Lawson and Jon Voigt completed the Lochee scoring before Kevin Watt hit a late consolation for the home side who had keeper Scott Christie sent off early in the first half.

Defeat for Bo’ness ended their chances of winning a third successive Super League crown but Hay believes Lochee should also been have challenging at the top instead of battling the drop.

He said: “We were worried about relegation but this victory means we are now safe so we’re more relieved than delighted.

“We have a great squad but haven’t had the run of results we deserved.

“Also, our home form has been poor and we need to correct that next season. But on the road we’ve been excellent and the performance against Bo’ness was first class, particularly in the second half.

“Lochee shouldn’t be battling relegation, we should be challenging at the top as we have the quality to compete with the likes of Bo’ness, Bonnyrigg and Linlithgow for the championship. We want to finish this season on a high then make a real challenge for the title next term.”

Bo’ness started stronger but the game turned on a 14th-minute flashpoint when a short backpass from Stuart Hunter let in Voigt who was tripped as he rounded Christie.

Lochee were awarded a penalty and Christie received a straight red but sub goalie Jordan Allan brilliantly saved Hay’s effort.

The 10 men took the lead in 24 minutes when Stewart nipped in front of McGuire to flick Iain Nimmo’s free-kick past Stephen Vanderdeyl.

However, Lochee were rampant after the break and levelled four minutes in when Hay’s header from a Craig Robertson corner came back off the bar and McGuire lashed the rebound home.

Robertson’s corners were a real threat for Lochee and another pinpoint delivery in 64 minutes found Hay unmarked at the back post to head the visitors in front.

Bo’ness sub Watt almost grabbed a leveller but his finish from Nicky Walker’s cutback lacked power.

Lochee punished the miss when Robertson’s through ball sent Grant Lawson clear and he slammed the ball into the bottom left corner.

Any chance of a Bo’ness comeback was killed off five minutes from time when Ross Gallagher’s free-kick found Voigt who outjumped keeper Allan to nod into the empty net.

In the final minute, Chris Hamilton squared for Watt to slide home a late Bo’ness consolation.

Lochee boss Paul Ritchie said: “Scoring just after half-time was a huge lift and set us up for the second half in which we were excellent.”

Bo’ness manager Paul Ronald couldn’t hide his disappointment that his team’s title bid had ended.

He said: “We’re very disappointed with the way things have gone over the past few weeks and we’re entitled to get a bit of criticism because we haven’t played well.”